NiceHCK NX7 MK3 Review (1) – Bring On The Dancing Horses
NiceHCK NX7 MK3—Proudly established as the Mad Scientist of Shenzhen, NiceHCK continues to churn out ever more ambitious (if not always fully realized) hybrids, most notoriously the original NX7, which I irrationally enjoyed in spite of (or perhaps because of) its exaggerated, alien treble. Ergo, I had a greater-than-usual level of anticipation for the new MK3, which commands a premium of around $50 over its predecessor.
SPECIFICATIONS
Impedance: 58Ω…likes amplification
Driver Unit: “Upgraded” 4BA + 2DD (Dual Carbon Nanotube Dynamic) + Piezoelectric Ceramics Driver, hybrid 7 units each side.
Frequency: 20 – 25000 Hz
Cable Material: 16 core silver-plated copper
Cable Length: 1.2m ± 3 cm
Plug Types: 3.5mm/2.5mm/4.4mm balanced/3.5mm balanced, gold plated
Connector: 0.78mm 2 pin
Replaceable Facepanels: silver/red/blue
Sensitivities: blue filter 107dB/mW, red filter 108dB/mW, black filter 104dB/mW
Tested at: $119/135 (balanced cable)
Purchase Link: HifiGo
I don’t usually rhapsodize about packaging and accessories, but the MK3 really goes over the top here, with an absurdly large faux-denim case, numerous silicon tips (though no foams), a beefy cable, gratuitous-but-fun interchangeable faceplates and most notably, three sets of tuning filters.
Metal and acrylic headshells look generic, though the standard teardrop shape is very ergonomic and provides for very good seal and comfort. As with the original NX7, my LG G8 drove these capably despite the high impedance, though amping would be preferable for lower-powered phones.
In any set-up, the NiceHCK NX7 MK3 presents an expansive soundstage, albeit with limited height; imaging is very accurate. As with the originals, the NiceHCK NX7 MK3 has a lean note texture, while coherence ranks from so-so to very good depending on the filters used.
With the default blue “balanced” filters, the NiceHCK NX7 MK3 presents a very bright, expansive, W-shaped signature, with surprisingly enhanced, somewhat thumpy subbass, a conspicuous dip in the midbass region, forward mids and extended highs which present a lot of detail but sound somewhat grainy and strident.
The blue was actually the least seamless of the set-ups, with the prominent low end being somewhat out of sync with the rest of the presentation. Resolution is very good, and there’s a sens of considerable air between instruments.
Switching to the black “heavy bass” filters results in a warmer, more L-shaped signature; bass is not so much greater in depth or quantity as it is in emphasis, and upper midrange and treble sound more subdued and smoother as a result. As Jurgen notes, this does have the effect of toning down the high-end pierce, and provides for a better transition from subbass to midbass. However, the black filters also diminish the sparkle and detail that distinguished the original NiceHCK NX7–like a Margarita without alcohol, you get the idea but not the essence.
The red “mid-high frequency” filters veer closest to the original NiceHCK NX7 and are at once the most engaging and least natural-sounding setup. Bass is dialed down and tightened considerably, giving them a balanced character, while the very bright, extended high end again reveals a lot of sizzle and micro-detail. Those offended by the overamped treble of the original will likewise find this iteration too strident, while bassheads will find these anemic.
I’ve little doubt that given the customizability of the NiceHCK NX7 MK3 that further experimentation with tips, damping, amping, etc. will yield a more perfect result. All things considered, though, I don’t hear the NiceHCK NX7 MK3 as an evolutionary leap from the original version, which is cheaper and has the same basic character, but better-tuned bass and more overall coherence.
If you don’t have the original, however, this latest provides a lot of diversion, although comparably-priced, less ambitous designs from BQEYZ, TFZ et. al. (as well as recent faves like the Shozy Rouge) have more accurate timbre. Conditionally recommended.
MY VERDICT
DISCLAIMER
The NiceHCK NX7 NK3 earphones were provided for review purposes by hifigo.
Our generic standard disclaimer.
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